Betty Lee Swann

ROCKY MOUNT – Betty Lee Maxey Swann, 71, died peacefully Wednesday, April 24, at Rex Healthcare, Raleigh.
A small businesswoman and devoted mother and grandmother, Swann was born Nov. 22, 1941 in Beaver, W.Va. She is preceded in death by husband Danny Lee Swann and parents Freda and Glen Maxey of Beckley, W.Va.
Betty owned and operated Collectors’ Headquarters baseball card shop off Highway 301 from 1990 to 1996, retiring afterwards to help raise the two greatest joys in her life – her grandchildren, Robert and Ashley.
She was a feisty, witty, giving and compassionate soul who did everything for her family’s happiness. She taught her daughters and grandchildren independent thinking and always encouraged them to follow their dreams with passion and integrity. She loved butterflies and cardinals, her pets Lila and Patches, working in her yard, decorating with antiques and unique pieces, fashion (especially shoes and pocketbooks) and make-up, cooking (especially Thanksgiving dinner) and helping others at the most unexpected times in the most unexpected ways. She loved to find a bargain and loved to sit in a car on a rainy day to hear the raindrops fall. Her extraordinary joy and love will be dearly missed here and are surely making heaven a brighter place today.
Surviving are: daughters Tara Leigh Swann-Combs (Steve Combs) of Rocky Mount and Kathryn Swann Harrelson (Jay Lamm) of Castalia; grandson Robert Lee Hines (Lindsey) of Pennsylvania and granddaughter Ashley Nicole Barnes of Rocky Mount; dear confidant and friend Ted May of Rocky Mount; a brother, Tommy Maxey (Mary) of Beckley W.Va.; four sisters, Pat Stafford (Larry) of Kentucky; Joyce Greenwood (Henry) of Tennessee, Linda Wood (Roger) of Salisbury, N.C. and Donna Malcolm (Don) of West Virginia; several nieces and nephews, the most devoted in her final days – Shari – and in her final years – Paul.
Betty was also a loyal volunteer for United Way of Franklin County, giving time and support to helping the hungry and to children in need of school supplies. Her ideas and support helped start the hunger initiative Feeding Franklin that supports 17 food pantries.
Funeral services are May 4, 2 p.m., Johnson Funeral Home Chapel, Rocky Mount. Graveside with family and friends follows at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rex Healthcare Foundation or the United Way of Franklin County, Feeding Franklin, P.O. Box 342, Louisburg, NC, 27549.